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21 January 2019

Harry is now 5 weeks old! I'm not sure where the time has gone already, but he has changed a lot over these 5 weeks and I really want to document this here on our blog.

Sleep
For the first few weeks Harry was an excellent sleeper, waking every 3 hours for feeds and then settling again between. More recently he has found settling between feeds more difficult due to having a lot of wind. We are currently trying to help find a solution for this but so far only cuddles with us seems to help him drift off. He still wakes for feeds every 3/4 hours but takes longer to settle so sleep for us at the moment is very bit and bobby! Coffee is my new best friend (though often drank cold!) All I read when searching for a miracle answer is 'they will get better with time' so for now we will just keep plodding on!

WeightIf you have read my birth story, you will know that Harry was 3 weeks early and also very tiny at 4lb 13oz. He had some trouble with his blood sugars and jaundice meaning a hospital stay for us, but luckily thanks to a feeding regime he recovered quickly from these and we were allowed home. We tried to maintain this regime for a while but he himself sticks to a rough 3/4 hour feed schedule. At his last weigh in he was an impressive 6lb 7oz so seems to be gaining weight well. I'm excited to see what he is at his next weigh in, as he no longer fits in Tiny Baby clothes and is fitting nicely in his first size outfits.

Appointments
The first month was made up of lots and lots of appointments, luckily the first 2 and half weeks we had each other for support, and after that my mum has taken us to them as well. Harry had all his blood spot tests, multiple weigh ins and a good check all over. Everything has come back fine.

He was also officially registered this month!

We have his first jabs in February, and after those we really want to start taking him swimming and maybe the odd baby group.Routine
We don't really have a set routine yet, like I mentioned previously he feeds every 3/4 hours and we bath him every other day at the moment. When he reaches 3 months I will definitely try to start implementing a morning and evening routine for him, but at such a young age I think I'm best to just go with the flow and respond to his routine. I know there is a lot of conflicting opinions on routines, but you have to go with your own instinct.

1 January 2019

I wasn't expecting to be writing a December with Harry post, seeing as he came 3 weeks early! He definitely doesn't take after me and his dad in that department! You can read about his birth here.

Harry was born December 16th and our story begins from there.

We had to spend our first few days as a family in hospital due to Harry being so small, it was a routine of feeds, nappy changes and temperature checks. The midwives and health care assistants were all incredible, I cannot thank them enough for all their kindness and support during our stay. Never the less, I was ready to go home and start our life together and get into our own rhythm.

The first few days were spent cuddling, feeding and getting to know one another. Harry is such a good baby, he only cries when he wants his food or when we change his nappy. The rest of the time he is fairly content. He loves to be cuddled, but will equally be happy to be popped in his mosses basket for a snooze. I'm hoping I'm not jinxing this by writing it down!

We had lots of visitors and Harry enjoyed plenty of cuddles. He has been thoroughly spoilt by our family and friends with so many gorgeous presents. I just need to find time to put them all away now!

We rushed out to buy him some Christmas outfits and gifts as I couldn't bare the thought of not having anything for him, even if he doesn't know anything about it! We wrote him a special card which we will pop in his memory box.

We spent our first Christmas just the 3 of us due to my family being ill. We had dinner, opened his presents and watched films. I took too many photo's, that I'm sure he will see when he's older!

We also braved our first proper family outing, we had walked to the local shop already, but this time we ventured further and took him for a proper walk as it was a very mild Sunday afternoon. We even managed to have cake and hot chocolate which was a nice bonus!

This New Year's Eve we spent it at home with our family. We chatted and watched TV in our comfy clothes, how times have changed!

26 December 2018

My Birth story is a little different to how I expected things to go, which is why I wanted to share it. I had been preparing myself for labour, and reading blogs and birth stories online, so I had an idea in my head of what I expected labour to be like. Well let me say, I clearly had no clue!

To start from the beginning, it was Saturday 15th December, and I had been having some stomach pains at around 5am. They were just little cramps and I thought I might have eaten something that hadn't agreed with me. I have to say at this point I am only 36 weeks + 6days pregnant. We carried on with our day as planned, cleaning the house, trip to Tesco to get some food in and I was having my friends come round that evening for a bite to eat and a catch up.

It was getting later in the day and at around 5ish the pain was getting worse, I was convinced maybe I was having Braxton Hicks, or it was still an upset stomach so I didn't think much more about it. Stephen was going out with his brother and dad, but had decided not to have a drink 'just in case'. I made the food ready for my friends arrival and got myself ready.

The pains were starting to get a little worse whilst my friends were here, but I had no other signs of labour that I had read all about, no signs of a show, no waters breaking. Again, I thought maybe they were Braxton hicks. It got to around 9:30pm and I started to think something was wrong, and I couldn't get off of the toilet. I called Stephen to come home and he rang up the labour ward to tell them what was going on, I'd still not had a show, or any waters breaking, I hadn't even bothered to time the 'pains' as I truly thought that they weren't contractions.The midwife told us to bring our bags and make our way to the ward, this was a bit of a task as I still had bits that weren't even packed! My poor husband and friends had to pack the rest of the things into my hospital bag, whilst I sat on the toilet breathing through the pain.

Some how we managed to make it to the labour ward for 11pm. I was taken to the Lavender Room of the Birth Sanctuary it was a dimly lit room, filled with fairy lights and the radio was playing in the background. Due to not knowing what was going on, I was put onto a monitor to check on baby and contractions. It still hadn't hit me that I would be meeting my baby soon, and I was sure that I would be sent home.

After being on the monitor for a while and everything looking good the midwife asked if I would like to be checked to see how far dilated I was. She explained that it took a while to start to dilate and not to be disappointed if it was only 1/2cm.. well I actually turned out to be 6cm dilated already! I had gotten this far at home, breathing through the pain and chatting to my friends.

My midwife asked if I would like the pool filling up which I said yes too. The water definitely helped to ease the contractions. I hadn't had time for any pain relief up until now so asked for gas and air, which unfortunately I hated, as it made me heave with each use, despite being given peppermint to smell. Instead I mainly used it to bite down on.

I was in the pool for a couple of hours, when I felt the overwhelming urge to push. I was worried that I wasn't dilated enough as it was so soon after being checked, but I was told to go with it. This is where the labour got a bit chaotic, everything had been progressing fine, but suddenly Baby's heart rate dropped and I had to get out of the pool quickly to be monitored.

The emergency buzzer was pulled and the room was suddenly full of midwives and doctors. I'll be honest and say the rest was a blur of being told to push and that we needed to get him out quickly. I was frightened and wanted him to be safe. Two failed cannula attempts, and an episiotomy later my gorgeous son Harry was born at 37 weeks, weighing a mere 4lb 13oz, my tiny, perfect, bundle of joy

10 December 2018

With my due date fast approaching, and gently being reminded by my midwife that baby could come any time after 37 weeks (that's just under a week!) I decided it was time to get a wriggle on and pack Baby's bag.

I am planning to have my baby at our Midwifery led unit, and have only packed our bag for a couple of night's stay. This is my first baby, so I am a little unsure of whether or not this is too much to take, or too little, but I have been watching plenty of videos and reading check lists to get an idea of what should be in the bag. If there is too much then my Husband can simply take some of it back to the car, like wise, I will be leaving a pile of 'essentials' at home, so he can grab them if we need to stay in longer.

First up is the bag itself, I picked up two of these Grey Holdalls, one for me and one for baby. They come with a handle and wheels which will make it easier for us to transport them once baby has arrived. I have seen most women take Baby's changing bag as their hospital bag, however, I've asked for mine as a Christmas gift from my parents, and therefore didn't want to leave it that late for it to be packed, as I'm due just 12 days after Christmas!

The Car seat is the number one essential. We have been buying lots of big items recently so didn't see the point in fitting it until those had been purchased, but it is on this weekends 'must do' list. The hospital won't let you leave without this, so it is definitely a must have in the car!We have the Silver Cross seat, that matches our Silver Cross Wayfarer Chelsea pram and pushchair. We also have the matching isofix base, so it makes a full travel system.The Notes, these are just as, if not more important, than the car seat. I still have a couple of midwife appointments yet so these aren't in my bag at the moment, but they are easy to grab should I need to.Nappies & Nappy sacks. I am preparing myself for those first meconium poo's that everyone talks about! I've packed Aldi's Mamia Size 1 nappies, as I've heard so many good things about them, and they come nice and compact making them easy to pack. I've also packed Nappy Sacks, I'm not sure if these are an essential, but I thought it's best to take them just in case.Wipes & Cotton Wool. I've packed a combination of wipes and cotton wool as I've heard some hospitals prefer if you use cotton wool over wipes, but I've also read that wipes are much easier to use when cleaning those first nappies. I got this pack of Pure Wipes in my Labour pack, so have decided to pop these in his bag.Bottles & Formula. Although I am planning on breast feeding, I have packed these as 'just in case' items. Better to have a happy fed baby, and I don't think formula is provided anymore (I could be wrong).

Possibly my favourite part of packing Baby Hart's bag, his clothing! As we have no idea how big he is going to be I have packed both New Born, First size and Up to 1 month clothes. I've sorted them into little outfits with their vests etc. and labelled them in sandwich bags so that it is easier for us to grab them out of the bag.

A hat is extremely important and I will be putting this at the top of the bags so it is easy to grab. I'm having my baby in January (provided he doesn't decide to show up a little earlier) and it is definitely going to be cold! So I've packed mittens, socks and long sleeve vests for our first car journey home. I'll also be taking a snow suit as a just in case item too.

I've packed a couple of bibs and muslin cloths, I'm not sure if these will be used but it's nice to have them on hand. Baby Towel. These may be provided at our hospital, but I have packed one of these hooded baby towels in the off chance it is needed. Cellular Blanket. I have a gorgeous Beige and grey striped cellular blanket from Asda which will be used to swaddle him, and also cover him up in his car seat for our travel home.Teddy Bear. Not at all an essential, but I thought it would be nice to take along his first teddy bear.

So there is my Little One's bag, is there anything you think I have missed?

3 December 2018

We have made it to the third trimester! This week I had my 28 week midwife check up. I had my bloods taken this week which is always my least favourite part of the appointment. We also listened to baby's heartbeat, which I think is his least favourite part, as he always gives a good kick when the monitor is put on my tummy! The midwife had a little feel of my tummy to see whereabouts baby was, but he is still free at the minute. I will be certain to try and change that ahead of my next appointment!In terms of home preparation we have a fully built wardrobe! I have started to put some of his little outfits in (though they still need to be washed!) I can't help but keep popping in for a peek at it.My app is telling me that Baby is now dreaming, which really intrigued me as what could they possibly dream about?! Week 29Baby is the size of a Butternut Squash.

Week 29 started with my glucose test, it was something I had been dreading, but actually it wasn't that bad. The worst part was having to wait 2 hours on my own! I had my blood taken, drank my drink and waited the 2 hours until my next set of bloods. The most torturous part is the waiting area is right by the Café, which when you've been fasting for 12 hours is not good!This week symptom wise, I've been waking up in the middle of the night with terrible cramp, if anyone has any ideas on how to ease/avoid this please send them my way. Another symptom I have been plagued with is forgetfulness! I've heard the phrase 'baby brain' said in jest before, but that stuff is actually very real and very frustrating! I seriously think some days that my brain has left my body and gone on vacation. Please tell me it comes back? I'm not sure how I will get on without it aha.

Week 31Baby is the size of a Pineapple!I can say I am at that stage in pregnancy where if I drop something on the floor, I contemplate whether I can get away with leaving it! My app is telling me that this week Baby's brain is working very hard to develop it's 5 senses. I'm glad someone's brain is working hard, as mine is still sunning it up on an island somewhere..I had another midwife appointment this week, they seem to be coming thick and fast now, all is still ticking along nicely and Baby is now head down! Which is both extremely exciting, but also very nerve wrecking as it makes it all the more real that very soon I will have to give birth to this little human that I've been stowing away in my tummy.The nursery is taking shape and we now have a huge set of drawers built and neatly organised with all of Baby's essentials. I'm starting to feel a little less flustered now that everything is coming together, and I'm feeling a tad more organised..just a tad though! I still have a list as long as my arm to get through.Week 32Baby is the size of a Squash.Acid Reflux is all I have to say this week..actually add clumsiness to the mix too. I've managed to smash a plate and a bowl this week. Roll on two weeks time when I break up from work, I'm hoping that some much needed R&R will restore me!I've got well and truly stuck in to Christmas prep this week, as I don't like busy high streets at the best of times, never mind when heavily pregnant. I think I am about half way through the present buying and hope that I can get it all done before I finish for my Mat leave.My app is telling me that all of his major organs are fully developed now, except for his lungs. He now has regular sleep wake cycles, and is practicing kicking, sucking and breathing. Every week I am astounded at how much he is developing and that in 8 short weeks (fingers crossed) we will get to meet him.

Week 33Baby is the size of a Honeydew Melon.This week we managed to find a chair for the nursery at last! It was from Aldi of all places, and an absolute bargain. The room is really starting to take shape and is fast becoming my favourite room in the whole house. I like to just sit in there and admire all of our hard work, I say our, my husband's built most of it! I just passed the tools..This week the tiredness has crept back in, I don't know if it's a combination of trying to get everything finished at work ready for when I break up, and the fact that I don't sleep well thanks to my bladder's alarm call in the early hours of every morning! Either way, don't expect to see me after 8:30pm as I'm usually asleep on the sofa!Week 34Baby is the size of a Cantaloupe.My app tells me that baby is now around 5lbs and growing nicely, they have finger nails and sleep with their eyes closed.This week marked the end of work, and I have officially broken up for maternity leave! It feels so strange to not be going back now until next November, but I am excited to get started on all the jobs I've been putting off (to be fair in the week I'm asleep by 8:30!) We were absolutely spoilt rotten by my work colleagues and I can't thank them enough for all of our beautiful gifts. I've just spent some time faffing in the nursery putting them all away.Another exciting thing that happened this week is that our cot has been delivered! It's the last large piece of furniture for the nursery and I'm itching to get it set up so that I can put the finishing touches into the room.